CHC53215
Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Start Date
Rolling Enrolment
Duration
12 months
Delivery Method
Online
Units
22
Help break the addiction cycle.
The impact of alcohol and drug addiction is a rippling effect, which causes harm not only to the individual affected by addiction but also to their families and communities around them.
With the CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs, you will learn all the skills of the trade required to assist and counsel clients affected by substance abuse. You will learn how to provide rehabilitation services and effectively communicate with clients to assess and fulfil their needs.
Students who study this course can become counsellors and support workers for individuals and groups affected by a dependency on alcohol and other drugs.
Next Start Date
Rolling Enrolment
Duration
12 months
Delivery Method
Online
Course Overview
Study the Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
The impacts of alcohol and other drug problems on individuals, families, and communities are immense and come with health, social and financial implications. Therefore, working with people with alcohol and other drug problems is essential in today’s society.
By being equipped with the specific skills and expertise you need, you can play a vital part in transforming the lives of these individuals and their families and in contributing to a healthier community.
The CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs course equips students with the practical skills and knowledge to provide intervention and support services to individuals affected by alcohol and substance abuse.
In this AOD course, students will learn the skills and frameworks essential for transforming the lives of others and contributing to healthy mindsets within their community. This includes knowing how to work with a wide range of diverse groups, communities and cultures and understanding the culturally appropriate methods to work alongside them.
Students will also learn different communication and counselling strategies to help build rapport with their clients and provide interventions for people suffering from AOD addiction.
This AOD course also teaches students to review, reflect on and improve their support practices to create new strategies for helping clients.
Is the Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs for you?
To work in this area of community services, it is highly advisable that you possess the following qualities in order to provide optimum support in alcohol and other drugs helping services:
- Good Communication Skills
- Understanding of ‘whole of life issues’
- Empathy
- Appreciation of different choices in life
- Looking to grow as a person
Student Study Expectations
- 15-20 hours per week commitment for study and classes for 12 months online
- Active participation in online classes
- Active participation in role plays
- Professional and respectful behaviour in the classroom
- Taking responsibility of own learning and reaching out when needing support
What will you learn in the Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs?
The Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs course is guided by our four pillars of learning.
- Pillar 1: Work in a legal and ethical manner with people within a diverse community.
- Pillar 2: Communication techniques such as motivational interviewing
- Pillar 3: Understanding needs of the person and choosing the best approach and strategy according to their needs and readiness.
- Pillar 4: Develop strategies and interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues.
How will you study the Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs?
This course will be delivered through a blended learning approach which combines the flexibility of online learning with the practical support of live training via web tutorials, online forums, and interactive eLearning. All learning whether that be online or face to face, is overseen by a qualified trainer and assessor.
This course is also supported by our Simulated Practical’s service, where students can complete practical assessments in a safe, controlled and simulated environment.
How long is the Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs?
Learning is online over a 12 month period.
Entry Requirements
Prior to being enrolled into the VSL eligible course, TrainSmart Australia must reasonably believe that the applicant is academically suited and displays competence for the course requirements including meeting any of the set entry requirements. This is determined by either:
- The student providing TrainSmart Australia with a copy of an Australian year 12 certificate of education; or,
- The student providing TrainSmart Australia with a copy of a Certificate IV qualification (or above) that was delivered as a part of the AQF (Australian Qualification Framework) that can be verified by the issuing organisation or the USI (unique student identifier) transcript or,
- The student completing the Core Skills Profile for Adults online assessment passing at or above Exit Level 3 in the Australian Core Skills Framework in both reading and numeracy. TrainSmart Australia must also reasonably believe that the student displays that competence.
Please note, we are unable to enrol international students at this time.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccinations are required to complete this course in face-to-face classes and/or during the work placement component. See More
Delivery Method
The CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs course is delivered fully online with 22 units to complete.
Knowledge Based Assessments
22
Case Studies
22
Practical Assessments
22
Modules
This qualification is made up of the following units of competency. All units of competency must be completed in order to successfully attain the CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs.
The CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs is broken up into the following Modules.
Module 1: Alcohol and Other Drugs Essentials Part 1
Manage personal stressors in the work environment
HLTWHS006
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain health and wellbeing by preventing and managing personal stress. This unit applies to work in a range of health and community services settings, in particular work roles that operate in high stress situations and circumstances.
Reflect on and improve own professional practice
CHCPRP003
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development. This unit applies to workers in all industry sectors who take pro-active responsibility for their own professional development.
Recognise and respond to crisis situations
CHCCCS019
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise situations where people may be in imminent crisis, and then to work collaboratively to minimise any safety concerns and make plans to access required support services. This unit applies to any community services worker involved in crisis intervention. Management of the crisis may involve face-to-face, telephone or remote contact with persons involved.
Assess co-existing needs
CHCCCS004
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess the diverse and multi-faceted needs of people and determine both internal and external services required to meet those needs. This unit applies in a range of community service contexts.
Work with diverse people
CHCDIV001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
CHCDIV002
The unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety issues in the workplace, model cultural safety in own work practice, and develop strategies to enhance cultural safety. This unit applies to people working in a broad range of roles including those involved in direct client service, program planning, development and evaluation contexts.
Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCMHS005
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess capacity to support people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues and to work collaboratively to provide support and facilitate links to other services. This unit applies to work with people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) assessments in a range of community services work contexts.
Module 2: Alcohol and Other Drugs Essentials Part 2
Work in alcohol and other drugs context
CHCAOD001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish and work within the current context, philosophy and values of the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector. This unit applies to workers who come into contact with clients affected by alcohol and other drugs.
Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
CHCCSL001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use a structured approach to counselling to determine, establish and confirm the nature of the counsellor client relationship according to the agency’s counselling model. This unit applies to individuals whose job role involves working with clients on personal and psychological issues within established policies, procedures and guidelines.
Facilitate the counselling relationship and process
CHCCSL003
This unit describes the skills and knowledge to support clients to identify and work though concerns, and to manage the overall counselling process to its conclusion. This unit applies to individuals whose job role involves working with clients on personal and psychological issues within established policies, procedures and guidelines.
Support counselling clients in decision making processes
CHCCSL007
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist clients to clarify their goals, explore options and develop a course of action. This unit applies to individuals whose job role involves working with clients on personal and psychological issues, within established policies, procedures and guidelines.
Research and apply evidence to practice
CHCPOL003
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish the information need, gather information and critically analyse the information for relevance to own work. This unit applies to health and community service workers who need to research existing information to support and improve their work practice. It does not cover primary research.
Provide systems advocacy services
CHCADV005
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to advocate and ensure that government, community and organisational systems broadly support and uphold human rights. This unit applies to workers in a health, community services or advocacy settings who undertake a leadership role in influencing social and system changes. Workers at this level will also advocate for change and continuous improvement at the organisational level to improve client outcomes and service quality.
Work effectively in trauma informed care
CHCMHS007
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to practice and contribute to the continuous improvement of trauma informed care within a service. This unit applies to individuals working in the community services and health sectors where services are informed by the knowledge and understanding of central trauma, particularly the impact of interpersonal violence.
Module 3: Alcohol and Other Drugs Essentials Part 3
Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCAOD004
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for and conduct assessments of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) clients to determine eligibility, service requirements and referral needs. This includes knowledge of factors affecting assessment for a range of different client groups including different genders, youth, older people, mandated and voluntary clients, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This unit applies to people involved in the assessment of clients with AOD issues using established organisation or jurisdictional AOD assessment tools.
Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCAOD006
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to confirm, conduct and monitor intervention strategies to address alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues. This unit applies to workers who provide support to people with AOD issues within the scope of an established individual treatment plan. Interventions would be ongoing and be conducted under the guidance of a supervisor.
Develop strategies for alcohol and other drugs relapse prevention and management
CHCAOD007
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with clients to develop strategies for preventing and managing relapse, should it occur, as well as ways to deal effectively with potentially harmful behaviour. This unit applies to workers who develop strategies with, and for, clients with alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues within established organisation guidelines.
Collaborate in professional practice
CHCPRP002
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish, implement and evaluate collaborative practice. This unit applies to health and community service practitioners who may collaborate on the delivery of services to individual clients, groups of clients, communities or sub-populations. They may work individually with shared clients, together with individual clients or work on projects or programs that address the needs of groups or sub-populations. Work is self-directed.
Establish and manage client relationships
CHCCOM006
This unit describes the skills and knowledge to establish and manage professional one-to-one relationships with clients in the context of providing an ongoing health service or intervention. This unit applies to community services or health workers who have defined responsibilities to work independently with clients within broad but established guidelines.
Provide first aid **
HLTAID011
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide a first aid response to a casualty in line with first aid guidelines determined by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and other Australian national peak clinical bodies.
The unit applies to all persons who may be required to provide a first aid response in a range of situations, including community and workplace settings.
** Please note. This Unit: ‘HLTAID011 Provide first aid’ is trained and assessed externally. Learners are expected to arrange and complete this unit themselves at their own cost with another RTO or Training Organisation eg St John Ambulance, and then apply for Mutual Recognition with TSA.
Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and other drug issues
CHCAOD008
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to design, implement and monitor ongoing therapeutic interventions drawing on evidence informed models and techniques. It involves holistic consideration of all client needs, and collaboration with other services. This unit applies to individuals who work with significant autonomy in the provision of interventions and support to clients with alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues. While work is carried out in the context of an existing treatment plan, the worker may also design and adapt specific strategies.
Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans
CHCAOD009
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with clients to establish treatment goals, and to develop and evaluate individual treatment plans to meet those goals. This unit applies to workers who develop treatment plans with, and for, clients with alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues on the basis of an existing assessment and within established organisation guidelines. Depending on the context, development of the plan may be autonomous or collaborative. Workers may or may not be the person conducting the assessment.
Module 1: Alcohol and Other Drugs Essentials Part 1
Manage personal stressors in the work environment
HLTWHS006
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain health and wellbeing by preventing and managing personal stress. This unit applies to work in a range of health and community services settings, in particular work roles that operate in high stress situations and circumstances.
Reflect on and improve own professional practice
CHCPRP003
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development. This unit applies to workers in all industry sectors who take pro-active responsibility for their own professional development.
Recognise and respond to crisis situations
CHCCCS019
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise situations where people may be in imminent crisis, and then to work collaboratively to minimise any safety concerns and make plans to access required support services. This unit applies to any community services worker involved in crisis intervention. Management of the crisis may involve face-to-face, telephone or remote contact with persons involved.
Assess co-existing needs
CHCCCS004
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess the diverse and multi-faceted needs of people and determine both internal and external services required to meet those needs. This unit applies in a range of community service contexts.
Work with diverse people
CHCDIV001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
CHCDIV002
The unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety issues in the workplace, model cultural safety in own work practice, and develop strategies to enhance cultural safety. This unit applies to people working in a broad range of roles including those involved in direct client service, program planning, development and evaluation contexts.
Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCMHS005
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess capacity to support people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues and to work collaboratively to provide support and facilitate links to other services. This unit applies to work with people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) assessments in a range of community services work contexts.
Module 2: Alcohol and Other Drugs Essentials Part 2
Work in alcohol and other drugs context
CHCAOD001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish and work within the current context, philosophy and values of the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector. This unit applies to workers who come into contact with clients affected by alcohol and other drugs.
Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
CHCCSL001
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use a structured approach to counselling to determine, establish and confirm the nature of the counsellor client relationship according to the agency’s counselling model. This unit applies to individuals whose job role involves working with clients on personal and psychological issues within established policies, procedures and guidelines.
Facilitate the counselling relationship and process
CHCCSL003
This unit describes the skills and knowledge to support clients to identify and work though concerns, and to manage the overall counselling process to its conclusion. This unit applies to individuals whose job role involves working with clients on personal and psychological issues within established policies, procedures and guidelines.
Support counselling clients in decision making processes
CHCCSL007
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist clients to clarify their goals, explore options and develop a course of action. This unit applies to individuals whose job role involves working with clients on personal and psychological issues, within established policies, procedures and guidelines.
Research and apply evidence to practice
CHCPOL003
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish the information need, gather information and critically analyse the information for relevance to own work. This unit applies to health and community service workers who need to research existing information to support and improve their work practice. It does not cover primary research.
Provide systems advocacy services
CHCADV005
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to advocate and ensure that government, community and organisational systems broadly support and uphold human rights. This unit applies to workers in a health, community services or advocacy settings who undertake a leadership role in influencing social and system changes. Workers at this level will also advocate for change and continuous improvement at the organisational level to improve client outcomes and service quality.
Work effectively in trauma informed care
CHCMHS007
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to practice and contribute to the continuous improvement of trauma informed care within a service. This unit applies to individuals working in the community services and health sectors where services are informed by the knowledge and understanding of central trauma, particularly the impact of interpersonal violence.
Module 3: Alcohol and Other Drugs Essentials Part 3
Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCAOD004
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for and conduct assessments of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) clients to determine eligibility, service requirements and referral needs. This includes knowledge of factors affecting assessment for a range of different client groups including different genders, youth, older people, mandated and voluntary clients, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This unit applies to people involved in the assessment of clients with AOD issues using established organisation or jurisdictional AOD assessment tools.
Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCAOD006
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to confirm, conduct and monitor intervention strategies to address alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues. This unit applies to workers who provide support to people with AOD issues within the scope of an established individual treatment plan. Interventions would be ongoing and be conducted under the guidance of a supervisor.
Develop strategies for alcohol and other drugs relapse prevention and management
CHCAOD007
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with clients to develop strategies for preventing and managing relapse, should it occur, as well as ways to deal effectively with potentially harmful behaviour. This unit applies to workers who develop strategies with, and for, clients with alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues within established organisation guidelines.
Collaborate in professional practice
CHCPRP002
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish, implement and evaluate collaborative practice. This unit applies to health and community service practitioners who may collaborate on the delivery of services to individual clients, groups of clients, communities or sub-populations. They may work individually with shared clients, together with individual clients or work on projects or programs that address the needs of groups or sub-populations. Work is self-directed.
Establish and manage client relationships
CHCCOM006
This unit describes the skills and knowledge to establish and manage professional one-to-one relationships with clients in the context of providing an ongoing health service or intervention. This unit applies to community services or health workers who have defined responsibilities to work independently with clients within broad but established guidelines.
Provide first aid **
HLTAID011
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide a first aid response to a casualty in line with first aid guidelines determined by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and other Australian national peak clinical bodies.
The unit applies to all persons who may be required to provide a first aid response in a range of situations, including community and workplace settings.
** Please note. This Unit: ‘HLTAID011 Provide first aid’ is trained and assessed externally. Learners are expected to arrange and complete this unit themselves at their own cost with another RTO or Training Organisation eg St John Ambulance, and then apply for Mutual Recognition with TSA.
Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and other drug issues
CHCAOD008
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to design, implement and monitor ongoing therapeutic interventions drawing on evidence informed models and techniques. It involves holistic consideration of all client needs, and collaboration with other services. This unit applies to individuals who work with significant autonomy in the provision of interventions and support to clients with alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues. While work is carried out in the context of an existing treatment plan, the worker may also design and adapt specific strategies.
Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans
CHCAOD009
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with clients to establish treatment goals, and to develop and evaluate individual treatment plans to meet those goals. This unit applies to workers who develop treatment plans with, and for, clients with alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues on the basis of an existing assessment and within established organisation guidelines. Depending on the context, development of the plan may be autonomous or collaborative. Workers may or may not be the person conducting the assessment.
Job Outcomes
Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs Career Opportunities
The CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs qualification can lead to an array of career opportunities with job titles such as;
- Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
- AOD Mentor
- Service coordinator
- Youth Support Officer
- Alcohol and Other Drugs Case Manager
- Support Worker
TrainSmart Australia has a number of standing agreements in place with universities across Australia, which guarantees student entry and credit transfers upon completion of this Diploma.
Expected Salary and Biggest Employment Opportunity
$58,700
SALARY
4.5%
JOBS
4.4%
INDUSTRY
All statistics are supplied by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research. Based on national surveys.
Payment Options
$7,500
The maximum tuition fee for this course is $7,500. Your fee payment options are:
- Upfront payment
- VET Student Loans – Australian government income contingent loan which allows you to study now and pay later †.
- Interest Free Payment Plan – No deposit, no interest payment plans.
- Find out what your repayments may be using our Payment Plan Repayment Calculator
†VET Student Loans are subject to students meeting eligibility requirements. VET Student Loan creates a debt that must be repaid to the Commonwealth.
Simulated Practicals
Gain Practical Experience In a Safe Environment
As a part of studying Health and Community Services at TrainSmart Australia, some units require students to complete practical assessments that simulate a counselling setting. These assessments give students opportunities to practice counselling skills and techniques before entering the workplace.
Simulated Practicals provides a safe and controlled environment to build confidence and develop essential counselling skills for future health care professionals.
Simulated Practicals simulates a counselling environment through an online Zoom call between an actor and the learner/student. In these sessions, the actor takes on the role of resembling a real-life client, in which an issue or traumatic event is retold from the actor’s perspective.
Based on the assessment criteria, the student is tasked with responding to the client with the focus on utilising skills taught in the unit.
Through these recorded sessions, students can gain valuable feedback and be prepared to handle complex situations before entering the real-world environment.
We know that Counselling is an incredibly important skill, which is why we implemented Counselling units throughout more courses than just our Diploma of Counselling. TrainSmart Australia students studying Health and Community Services have access to our Simulated Practicals service!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course nationally recognised? What does that mean?
Completing a nationally recognised qualification (or training) means that your qualification and credentials are recognised all across Australia by other registered training organisations and employers. All accredited courses must adhere to the standards set by the Australian Skills and Quality Authority (ASQA). According to ASQA, accreditation is formal confirmation that the course:
- Is nationally recognised
- Meets an established industry, enterprise, educational, legislative or community need
- Provides appropriate competency outcomes and satisfactory basis for assessment
- Meets national quality assurance requirements
- Is assigned appropriately to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) where it leads to a qualification.
How many hours do I need to study each week?
To achieve this qualification within the given timeframe, students are required to commit to a minimum of 15 hours of study per week.
Can I get course credit for previous study?
Students enrolling into a Trainsmart Australia course can receive recognition for previous studies completed at a Certificate and Diploma level. Students can be awarded a credit transfer if:
- The student already holds a unit (or units) for the they’re enrolling into,
- The student holds an old unit which is deemed equivalent to the new unit they’re enrolling into
Receiving credit transfers will reduce the overall cost of your qualification as well as the duration to complete your remaining units.
University qualifications are not backwards transferrable, which means no credit transfers can be awarded. However, you can still apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL).
What if I don’t meet the entry requirements?
If you are unable to provide a copy of an Australian Year 12 Certificate or Certificate IV qualification or higher, you may be required to complete an Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) test to gain entry into your course of interest. This test is offered online, free of charge, after you have submitted your application.
Are TrainSmart courses Centrelink approved?
All of our courses are Centrelink approved through AUSTUDY.
Trainers
Other Courses
Related Content
Next Start Date
Duration
Delivery Method
All statistics are supplied by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research. Based on national surveys.
Simulated Practicals
Gain Practical Experience In a Safe Environment
As a part of studying Health and Community Services at TrainSmart Australia, some units require students to complete practical assessments that simulate a counselling setting. These assessments give students opportunities to practice counselling skills and techniques before entering the workplace.
Simulated Practicals provides a safe and controlled environment to build confidence and develop essential counselling skills for future health care professionals.
Simulated Practicals simulates a counselling environment through an online Zoom call which involves a Health and Community Services assessor, an actor and the learner/student. In these sessions, the actor takes on the role of resembling a real-life client, in which an issue or traumatic event is retold from the actor’s perspective.
Based on the assessment criteria, the student is tasked with responding to the client with the focus on utilising skills taught in the unit.
Through the sessions, students can gain valuable feedback and be prepared to handle complex situations before entering the real-world environment.
We know that Counselling is an incredibly important skill, which is why we implemented Counselling units throughout more courses than just our Diploma of Counselling. TrainSmart Australia students studying Health and Community Services have access to our Simulated Practicals service!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Kickstart your career in Community Services today!
Applying online is easy and only takes 5-7 minutes! Once your application is submitted our friendly Career Advisors will contact you at your chosen time.
